Wed Mar 27 | 00:36 | Pablo Sandoval States He Is Not Retiring | Pablo Sandoval | 3B | Red Sox | Free Agent |
San Francisco Giants corner infielder Pablo Sandoval said after Tuesday's 3-1 exhibition loss to the Athletics that he is not retiring and will report to Triple-A Sacramento if he gets the chance, per the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. The 37-year-old veteran went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout, with his broken-bat hit coming in his final at-bat in the ninth inning. Sandoval batted .250 with no home runs in 28 spring at-bats and hasn't played in a big-league organization since 2021. However, he had a storied career during his time with the Giants, earning three World Series Championships, two All-Star appearances, and one World Series Most Value Player Award. Regardless of the outcome, the Panda made a lasting mark in the Giants' organization. |
Source: Susan Slusser - Twitter.com | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Mar 26 | 19:30 | A's Acquire T.J. McFarland From Dodgers | T.J. McFarland | RP | Orioles | Free Agent |
The Oakland Athletics acquired minor-league left-hander T.J. McFarland from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations and selected his contract from Triple-A Las Vegas to their 40-man roster. The 34-year-old southpaw was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the fourth round in 2007 and he has 11 years of major-league experience with five different teams, including the A's back in 2020. McFarland made three appearances out of the New York Mets' bullpen in 2023 and has a career 4.14 ERA (4.20 FIP), a 1.47 WHIP, one save, 154 walks and 279 strikeouts in 474 innings in his 11 major-league seasons. Now with the rebuilding A's, McFarland certainly has a much better chance at contributing at the big-league level again in 2024 now that he's out of LA. |
Source: Oakland A's Communications | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Mar 26 | 19:16 | Orioles Sign Tony Kemp | Tony Kemp | 2B/LF/PH | Astros | Free Agent |
The Baltimore Orioles signed infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp to an undisclosed major-league contract on Tuesday and designated third baseman Nick Maton for assignment in a corresponding move. Kemp was in spring training with the Cincinnati Reds but opted out of his minor-league deal and is now headed back to the American League after slashing just .209/.303/.304 with five home runs, 27 RBI and a career-high 15 stolen bases in 124 games with the Oakland Athletics in 2023. In addition to being able to play the outfield, the 32-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran can also fill in at second base for the Orioles. At best, Kemp is going to fill a reserve role for the O's in 2024 and isn't much of a fantasy asset. The former fifth-round pick of the Houston Astros in 2013 out of Vanderbilt is a career .238/.325/.352 hitter with only 35 homers in eight big-league seasons. |
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 19:34 | White Sox Put Max Stassi On Injured List | Max Stassi | C | Astros | Free Agent |
The Chicago White Sox placed catcher Max Stassi (hip) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with left-hip inflammation and recalled catcher Korey Lee from Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. The 33-year-old Stassi will be eligible to be reinstated from the injured list on April 4, so he may not end up missing much time at all. However, it's not good news for Stassi after he missed all of 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels due to a hip injury and a family matter. When healthy, Stassi will be working as the primary backup catcher in Chicago to Martin Maldonado, leaving him very little fantasy appeal in the deepest of two-catcher leagues. Stassi also doesn't have much power in his lumber at the catching position. |
Source: The Athletic - James Fegan | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 09:45 | Jesse Chavez Inks Minor League Deal With Braves | Jesse Chavez | RP/SP | Angels | Free Agent |
The Atlanta Braves have signed pitcher Jesse Chavez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The 40-year-old journeyman spent last season in Atlanta, but was recently cut by the Chicago White Sox after a tough time in the Cactus League this spring. Despite his rough numbers with the White Sox this spring, he had a great season in 2023 with a 1.56 ERA and should have an opportunity to earn a bullpen spot with the Braves. Even with his impressive numbers in 2023, he doesn't provide much in the fantasy world and can be left on the waiver wire for now. |
Source: Atlanta Braves | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 09:06 | Willy Adames Hits Three Dingers | Willy Adames | SS | Rays | Free Agent |
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames had a huge game in Sunday's Cactus League matchup versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. Adames went 3-for-3 with four runs and three home runs. The homers would knock in all of his six RBI on the day. The 28-year-old was the subject of trade rumors this offseason, but stuck with the Brewers and has had a huge spring with a .317 batting average to accompany six homers and 15 RBI. Adames has seen a dip in his batting average over the past two seasons, but the power remains there with 24 or more homers in the past three seasons. An upcoming free-agent, Adames is motivated to get that big pay day and his hot start in the spring makes him an intriguing bounce back candidate. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 01:21 | Davis Schneider, Daniel Vogelbach, Ernie Clement Make Blue Jays Roster | Daniel Vogelbach | 1B | Mariners | Free Agent |
| | | Ernie Clement | | | Free Agent |
| | | Davis Schneider | | | Free Agent |
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Davis Schneider, utility bat Daniel Vogelbach, and infielder Ernie Clement have all made the opening day roster. Schneider should see a decent amount of playing time at second base, either as a platoon with Cavan Biggio or as the outright second baseman with Biggio shifting around the diamond. Vogelbach will likely be a bench bat and could fill in at DH when Justin Turner is playing in the field or taking a day off. Clement will be a bench infielder for the club. Schneider has the most appeal in fantasy and could be worth a speculative add in deeper leagues. |
Source: Rob Longley | RotoBaller.com |
Sun Mar 24 | 17:42 | Jesse Chavez Signing Is Not Official | Jesse Chavez | RP/SP | Angels | Free Agent |
The Minnesota Twins were reportedly in agreement with relief pitcher Jesse Chavez earlier on Sunday. However, the two sides have not officially agreed on a deal. It sounds like the Twins and Chavez are discussing a one-year contract, but haven't made it official. The 40-year-old is looking to pitch at least one more season in the big leagues. Whether it's the Twins or elsewhere, Chavez will likely be a middle reliever. That means, Chavez probably won't carry much fantasy value on any organization. |
Source: John Bonnes | RotoBaller.com |
Sun Mar 24 | 17:04 | Twins Sign Veteran Reliever Jesse Chavez | Jesse Chavez | RP/SP | Angels | Free Agent |
The Minnesota Twins have signed veteran reliever Jesse Chavez to a one-year big league deal and he will serve in a middle relief role or pitch in matchup-specific opportunities. It will be the 40-year-old's tenth different major league club and 17th season, which is an enviable feat in and of itself. The Twins have lost some bullpen arms recently and needed to sure it up before the season began. While Chavez has found a niche for himself over his many MLB seasons, he's not going to log many innings and isn't a power strikeout pitcher, so his usefulness for fantasy purposes is pretty much limited to leagues where Holds are counted as a category. |
Source: Twins Daily - Matthew Trueblood | RotoBaller.com |
Sun Mar 24 | 12:09 | Miguel Andujar Needs Surgery For Torn Meniscus | Miguel Andujar | 3B | Yankees | Free Agent |
Oakland Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar (knee) will be forced to open the season on the 15-day injured list. Andujar felt discomfort in his right leg while playing left field in a Cactus League game last week, and MRI results on Friday showed a torn meniscus in his right knee. He'll have surgery on March 27, and manager Mark Kotsay said that Andujar is looking at a recovery timeline of at least four to six weeks. It's a bummer for the A's and the 29-year-old, as he hit .357 with a 1.110 OPS and a team-high five home runs in 14 spring games. His absence to open the year now opens the door for No. 5 prospect Darell Hernaiz or non-roster spring standout Hoy Park to make the Opening Day roster. If everything goes well with Andujar's recovery, he could make his 2024 debut at some point in May. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Thu Mar 21 | 21:53 | Matt Olson Adds Three Strikeouts To Spring Struggles | Matt Olson | 1B | Athletics | Free Agent |
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson couldn't get going in Thursday's 5-2 Grapefruit League loss to the New York Yankees, striking out in each of his three at-bats. Over 35 ABs during spring training, Olson is now batting a mere .171 with a .596 OPS, one home run, two RBI, and four runs scored. Fantasy managers spending a second-round pick on Olson this spring are hoping the 29-year-old reigning home run king is getting the struggles out of his system before the games begin to count on March 28 in Atlanta's regular-season opener against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. After also leading MLB with 139 RBI and the National League in slugging percentage (.604) plus perfect attendance in 2023 (162 games played), Olson is going to be just fine. He's among fantasy's safest bets in 2024 for prolific power numbers in a high-powered Braves lineup. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Mar 20 | 19:16 | Gio Urshela Hasn't Locked Down Starting Duties At Third Base | Gio Urshela | 3B | Indians | Free Agent |
When the Detroit Tigers signed infielder Gio Urshela to a one-year, $1.5 million deal late in February, having him serve as the primary third baseman in 2024 always made the most sense but the Tigers didn't make any declarations about his playing time because they needed to evaluate his on-field performance in his return from a broken pelvis last year. With eight days until Opening Day on March 28 against the Chicago White Sox, Urshela hasn't locked down starting duties at the hot corner as he competes with Matt Vierling, Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibanez. Vierling was projected to be the primary third baseman before the team signed Urshela, only to move back to his previous role as an outfielder. Urshela is the best defender, but he hasn't been hitting for power or drawing walks on offense. Urshela and Vierling -- both right-handed hitters -- are at the top of the pecking order in the internal plan for a primary third baseman. |
Source: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Mar 19 | 13:37 | Nathan Eovaldi Gets Opening Day Nod For Rangers | Nathan Eovaldi | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
The Texas Rangers announced on Tuesday that right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will start the team's Opening Day game on March 28 at home versus the visiting Chicago Cubs. The injury-prone Eovaldi will kick off the year as the Rangers look to defend their World Series title from last fall. The 34-year-old veteran has made the All-Star team twice in the last three years and went 12-5 with a 3.63 ERA (3.88 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP while walking 47 and striking out 132 hitters in 144 innings over his 25 starts in 2023 during the regular season. During the team's run to the World Series in the playoffs, he went 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA and 41 K's in 36 2/3 frames. Eovaldi can be a solid fantasy asset when healthy, but he's gone over 150 innings just once since the 2016 campaign. |
Source: Texas Rangers | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Mar 19 | 12:19 | Blue Jays Name Jose Berrios As Opening Day Starter | José Berríos | SP | Twins | Free Agent |
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced on Tuesday morning that right-hander Jose Berrios will make the team's Opening Day start on March 28 on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays. "He embodies what we're talking about when we talk about stuff, durability, teammate, professionalism. I was thrilled to give him that news this morning," Schneider said. Berrios gets the nod with ace Kevin Gausman (shoulder) working through shoulder issues in spring training. It won't be the easiest matchup for DFS purposes against Toronto's American League East rival on the road. The 29-year-old Puerto Rican hurler had a solid year in 2023 in his second year in Toronto, going 11-12 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 52 walks and 184 K's in 32 starts. Berrios isn't as intriguing as he once was in fantasy, but he still has a solid floor as a back-end starter. |
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 18 | 20:24 | Nick Martinez To Open The Year In The Rotation | Nick Martinez | RP/SP | Rangers | Free Agent |
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that right-hander Nick Martinez (ribs) is locked into a starting rotation spot to begin the year, along with Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft. The fifth spot is down to Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson (shoulder). Martinez has been dealing with a rib issue in camp, but he was able to throw a simulated game over the weekend and should be ready for Opening Day on March 28. The 33-year-old has started 87 of the 198 games that he's appeared in in the big leagues in six seasons, and he's been more effective in his career in a relief role. Moving back to the bullpen is still an option once lefty Nick Lodolo (leg) makes his 2024 debut, which makes Martinez more of an NL-only asset in his first year with the Reds. |
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans | RotoBaller.com |
Sun Mar 17 | 14:54 | Nick Martinez Throws Simulated Game | Nick Martinez | RP/SP | Rangers | Free Agent |
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez (ribs) threw a live batting practice session on Saturday. The right-hander threw three innings of a simulated game as he works his way back to full health. The plan is for Martinez to build his way back up into being a starting pitcher. The 33-year-old could end up turning into a swingman type of role depending on how the rest of the rotation shakes out in Cincinnati. At the moment, Martinez isn't a very appealing option heading into fantasy drafts. However, it sounds like the right-hander is making good progress in his recovery. |
Source: Charlie Goldsmith | RotoBaller.com |
Sun Mar 17 | 14:29 | Jose Leclerc Likely To Be Closer | José Leclerc | RP/SP | Rangers | Free Agent |
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc has a strong possibility of opening the regular season as the team's closer, according to manager Bruce Bochy. The 30-year-old ended last season as the closer and appears in a good spot to keep that role. Last season, Leclerc finished with a 2.68 ERA, 2.14 WHIP, and 67 strikeouts in 57 games with the Rangers. It's worth noting that veteran right-hander David Robertson could be in the mix as well. However, Leclerc looks locked in for a majority of the save chances in Texas right now. He should be at least a top-20 closing option heading into the regular season. |
Source: Evan Grant | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Mar 16 | 12:18 | Keynan Middleton To Start The Year On Injured List | Keynan Middleton | SP | Angels | Free Agent |
St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever Keynan Middleton (forearm) has a forearm strain and will be shut down from throwing for at least 10 days. It means that he'll start the 2024 regular season on the injured list. The Cardinals are planning to be without him for at least a couple of weeks into the season in April. The 30-year-old signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the team last month after he pitched for both the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in 2023, posting a decent 3.38 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, two saves and 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 relief innings. When healthy, Middleton can be valuable in deep holds leagues as a late-inning setup man for the Cardinals alongside Andrew Kittredge and Giovanny Gallegos in front of closer Ryan Helsley. |
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Mar 15 | 22:31 | Pirates Agree With Domingo German On Minor-League Deal | Domingo Germán | SP | Yankees | Free Agent |
The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed with free-agent right-hander Domingo German on a $1.5 million minor-league deal on Friday. The 31-year-old Dominican hurler tossed a no-hitter against the lowly Oakland Athletics last year while with the New York Yankees, but that was easily the highlight of his season, as he finished with a 5-7 record, 4.56 ERA (4.65 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 34 walks and 114 strikeouts in 108 2/3 innings pitched over his 20 appearances (19 starts) in his sixth year in pinstripes. He'll have a better opportunity with the rebuilding Pirates, but German is unlikely to be much of a fantasy asset outside of NL-only leagues if he's with the big-league roster in 2024. In his six-year career, German holds a 4.41 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 2.8 walks per nine innings and 9.4 K's per nine innings in 522 1/3 frames. |
Source: Pittsburgh PG - Jason Mackey | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Mar 15 | 14:50 | Joey Gallo To Serve As Everyday First Baseman For Nationals | Joey Gallo | 3B | Rangers | Free Agent |
Washington Nationals first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo will serve as the everyday first baseman for the club in the 2024 campaign. The veteran inked a one-year, $5 million deal with the Nats this offseason after spending the 2023 season with the Minnesota Twins. He hit just .177 but slugged 21 home runs in just 111 games, typical production from the 30-year-old. His 21 homers outweighed his 19 singles a season ago, and he has 198 career home runs versus 215 singles. He also sports a healthy 14.8% BB% for his career but his well-known strikeout issues have resulted in an eye-popping 37.9% career strikeout rate. If you can stomach the tiny batting average and a boatload of strikeouts, Gallo's power is worth noting in an everyday role for fantasy managers in 2024. |
Source: Mark Zuckerman | RotoBaller.com |